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Workers march to save steel plant Workers march to save steel plant
(about 6 hours later)
Thousands of workers and their families are expected to march on Teesside later in protest over the looming closure of a Corus plant in Redcar.Thousands of workers and their families are expected to march on Teesside later in protest over the looming closure of a Corus plant in Redcar.
The steelmaker has warned it may have to close the plant because a consortium of customers has withdrawn from a 10-year contract to buy its steel.The steelmaker has warned it may have to close the plant because a consortium of customers has withdrawn from a 10-year contract to buy its steel.
Unions say the closure will result in the loss of 2,000 jobs at the plant, as well as another 1,000 jobs elsewhere.Unions say the closure will result in the loss of 2,000 jobs at the plant, as well as another 1,000 jobs elsewhere.
Company bosses are trying to persuade the consortium to honour its contract.Company bosses are trying to persuade the consortium to honour its contract.
It was announced in May that the Redcar Teesside Cast Products plant was to be mothballed, threatening the jobs of nearly 2,000 workers, after the early end to the contact by four international slab buyers.It was announced in May that the Redcar Teesside Cast Products plant was to be mothballed, threatening the jobs of nearly 2,000 workers, after the early end to the contact by four international slab buyers.
Progress in talks to resolve the contract problems has been hindered by a slump in demand for steel.Progress in talks to resolve the contract problems has been hindered by a slump in demand for steel.
Prices for slab steel, which Redcar specialises in, have fallen from over $1,000 (£612) per tonne last year to under $300 this month.Prices for slab steel, which Redcar specialises in, have fallen from over $1,000 (£612) per tonne last year to under $300 this month.
'More support needed''More support needed'
But Unite, one of the unions active at the plant, says the Teesside community will be devastated if the Corus plant is shut down, as many local families and businesses depend on the plant for their livelihoods.But Unite, one of the unions active at the plant, says the Teesside community will be devastated if the Corus plant is shut down, as many local families and businesses depend on the plant for their livelihoods.
Derek Simpson, Unite joint general secretary, said: "In a show of defiance Unite members will march to demonstrate that 150 years of iron and steelmaking in Teesside matters. The loss of the Corus plant will rip the heart out of this local community.Derek Simpson, Unite joint general secretary, said: "In a show of defiance Unite members will march to demonstrate that 150 years of iron and steelmaking in Teesside matters. The loss of the Corus plant will rip the heart out of this local community.
"The thousands of workers at Corus must be supported in order to maintain a viable world-class industry in the future.""The thousands of workers at Corus must be supported in order to maintain a viable world-class industry in the future."
The march, which will begin at 1400 BST in Redcar, has been organised by unions Unite, SIMA, Community, GMB and UCATT.The march, which will begin at 1400 BST in Redcar, has been organised by unions Unite, SIMA, Community, GMB and UCATT.
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